Muffler.



J. T. GILMER.

MUFFLER.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 26, 1911.

1,01 8,044. Patented Feb. 20, 1912 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. GIIJVIER, OF FLORALA, ALABAMA.

MUFFLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

Application filed June 26, 1911. Serial No. 635,495.

State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mufl'lers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mufflers for overcoming and destroying the noise produced by the exhaust from explosive engines, and is intended more particularly for use upon automobiles, although its usefulness is notconfined to that field.

The object of the invention is to provide a muffler which may be produced at a slight cost and by the use of which the exhaust will be mufl'led without creating appreciable back pressure upon the engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mufiler of simple construction which may be readily applied to the exhaust pipe of any engine and readily adjusted tothe condition of any particular case.

These stated objects, and such other incidental objects as will appear as the descriptionof the invention proceeds, are attained in the use of such a device as is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and hereinafter fully described, the novel features of the invention being particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, which illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a muffler containing my improvements; Fig. 2- is an end elevation; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation showing a modification.

In carrying out my invention, I secure to the end of the exhaust pipe 1 a T-coupling 2 from the opposite sides of which extend tubes 3 having their outer ends closed by caps 4 The tubes 3 project from the couplmg laterally with respect to the exhaust pipe and are then carried rearwardly and outwardly in parallel planes, as shown. The dimensions of the tubes and thecoupling are capable of variations within certain limits, but for the best results the combined diameters of the two tubes should be greater than the diameter of the exhaust pipe 1- so that the exhaust gases passlng into these tubes will be permitted to expand and their pressure consequently reduced. Extend-ing inwardly from the opposed surfaces of these muffler tubes 3 are a series of branches or nozzles 4 which have their ter- I minals arranged directly opposite each other, said branches or nozzles being 'arranged in pairs, as will be readily understood from the drawings. To the ends of the opposed members of each pair of nozzles, I secure cups or Spreaders 5 which are threaded upon the extremity of the nozzles so that they may be adjusted to and from each other to vary the size of the opening or space left between their edges and thereby control the escape of the expanded gases.

In the drawings I have illustrated three pairs of nozzles or outlets 4 with their at ta-ched cups or spreaders, but it will be readily understood that the particular number is immaterial and a greater or lesser number may be employed according to the requirements of any particular engine.

A housing 6 is arranged around the muffier tubes 3, their outlets 4, and the spreaders attached thereto, and this housing may be of any suitable material which will possess the requisite durability and strength without excessive weight, sheet metal belng desirable and preferably used. This housing is in the form of a hood inclosing but spaced from the muffler tubes and having its front closed end 7 fitted upon the exhaust pipe 1 and secured thereon by a nut 8 bearing against the said end or head 7 and clamping the same against an annular shoulder on the T-coupling 2, as shown and as will be readily understood. A cover or cap plate 9 is secured to the caps 4 on the outer or rear ends of the muflier tubes 3 and extends between the said tubes. or cap plate prevents too rapid exhaust or discharge of the gases and is provided with a series of longitudinal narrow slits 10 through which the exhaust may escape.

The plate 9 maybe of such dimensions as to entirely close the outer end of the housing but better results are obtained when the edge of the plate is out of contact with the end of the housing whereby a narrow open space 11 is provided to permit a more extended escape of the exhaust gases. I

The construction and arrangement of the several parts of my mufller being thus made known it is thought the operation and advantages of the same will be readily stood and appreciated. 7

The exhaust gases from the engine pass through the exhaust pipe 1 into the coupling 2 and are there divided into two This cover attenuate the same I provide air inlet tubes 12 which extend from the front end or head of the housing 6 into the respective muflier tubes 3, as clearly shown. As the expanded gasesflow toward the outer or rear ends of the muffler tubes portions thereof will flow into and through the outlets or nozzles 4 and, escaping from the ends thereof, will be broken up by the contact with the gases escaping from the opposed nozzles or outlets and will escape from between the cups or Spreaders 5 in thin streams having but little tension or pressure. As the volume of gases within the muffler tubes is successively decreased by the loss of portions thereof through the nozzles or outlets 4, the pressure within the said tubes will be correspondingly reduced toward the outer or rear ends thereof with the result that the gases escaping through the last nozzles will have practically no pressure. The gases escaping from between the opposed cups or Spreaders will be received within the interior of the housing 6 and will consequently be permitted to expand to a great degree therein and will finally escape from the said housing through the narrowslots 10 and the space 11. As the escaping gas is divided into a number of fine streams in passing through said space and slots, the sudden exhaust of a large volume of gas into the atmosphere and the consequent formation of a vacuum adjacent the discharging point is entirely overcome so that the noise usually attendant upon the exhaust of an explosive engine is eliminated.

When the mufiier is applied to an automobile the travel of the vehicle will cause air to pass into and through the tubes 12 to commingle with the gases in the muffler tubes 3 and thereby weaken the gases so that the explosive force of the same will be destroyed.

When the deviceis used on a stationary engine the initial expansion of the gases within the mufller tubes will create a sufiicient partial vacuum to draw in air through said tubes 12. -These air tubes furthermore,

. serve as vents so that should the parts be mitted to theengine. The several Spreaders or cups are capable of adjustment upon the nozzles 4 so that varying degrees of expanslon may be permitted between the spreaders of each pair and the muffler consequently easily and readily adjusted to effectively reduce the pressure of the exhaust of any engine to which it may be applied.

The several parts of my mufl'ler may be constructed of inexpensive material and consequent-1y the muflier may be produced at a slight cost.

As there is no complicated arrangement of parts, repairs may be easily made if necessary and the muffler may be easily cleaned Whenever it is desired to do so.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a Y-coupling 13 is substituted for the T- coupling 2 shown in Fig. 1, thereby pro viding a more direct passage to' the mufiler tubes and reducing the liability of back pressure. On the rear ends of the coupling are ex-v ternal spaced lugs 14 having inclined or cam faces and on the ends of the muflier tubes are swiveled collars 15 provided with internal lugs 16. The muffler tubes are alined with the ends of the coupling, thelugs on the collars passing through the spaces between the lugs on the coupling after which the collars are rotated about the muflier tubes so that the lugs on the collars will ride upon the inclined faces of the lugs on the coupling and thereby firmly secure the tubes in place. The front end or head of the housin is in the form of a separate plate or cap 1 having an annular flange 18 at its outer edge to fit around the end of the cylinder 19 forming the body of the housing. The cap plate 9 is provided with spaced extensions or tongues 20 which engage over the rear end of the cylinder so that when the said plate is secured to the ends of the muffler tubes, the cylinder will be clamped against the front plate 17. Minute openings 21 may be provided in the muffler tubes near the rear ends thereof to permit the escape of the gases and prevent accumulation of the gases to form cushions in the tubes and, to further weaken the gases before their final discharge into-the atmosphere, air intake tubes 22 may be secured in the side of the housing and terminate in the expansion chamber formed by the housing around the mufiier tubes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ism- 1. A muffler comprising a pair of tubular members adapted to be secured to the exhaust pipe of an engine, and a series of nozzles extending toward each other from the opposed surfaces of said tubular members.

2. A mut'fler comprising a pair of tubular members having closed outer ends and adapted to be secured to the exhaust pipe of an engine, outlet nozzles projecting toward each other from said tubular members, and

spreaders on the ends of said nozzles.

and Spreaders adjust-ably fitted on the ends of the nozzles.

4. A mufiler comprising a housing secured upon the end of an engine exhaust pipe,-

means leading from the said exhaust pipe within the housing to permit expansion 0- the exhaust gases, and means communicating with said first mentioned means and discharging into the housing to successively ture, in presence of two permit increased expansion;

5. A mufller comprising expansion members adapted to be secured to the exhaust pipe of an engine, outlets arranged successively along the. said members, and air I intakes leading from the outside "air through the front ends of said members.

6. A mufiier comprising a housing adapted to be secured upon the exhaust ipe of an engine, a pair of tubular mem ers within the housing having their front ends secured to the said exhaust pipe and their outer ends closed, opposed nozzles p oject-- ing from the said tubular members, and a cap plate secured to and extending between f the closed outer ends of said members and provided with a plurality of attenuated escape ope In testlmony whereof I afilx my signawitnesses. JOHNv T.. GILMER. Witnesses:

'R. W. BISHOP,

E. H; PARKINs. 

